Swansea City: Michael Duff's side improving but have much work to do
- Published
Bashir Humphreys' first senior goal sealed Swansea's victory over Norwich on Wednesday
There was a seven-game Championship winless streak, an abject defeat in the south Wales derby and questions about Michael Duff's future as Swansea City head coach.
Then came three successive league wins.
The opening 10 league matches of a new league season are often said to give a decent indication of what lies ahead.
Duff must hope that is not the case at Swansea in 2023-24, for he will not want to endure such turbulence across a full campaign.
"It's been a really calm 10 games," a smiling Duff said in the aftermath of Wednesday's win over Norwich City.
"Nothing's really happened."
The grin on Duff's face was telling, for he has not often had the chance to joke during his first three-and-a-half months as Swansea boss.
There has been criticism of his team's style of play, as well as some of his comments to the media during that uninspiring start to the season.
Swansea's opening six games brought only two points, thanks to home draws with Birmingham and Coventry, while there were defeats to West Brom, Preston and Bristol City before Duff's side went down with a whimper at Cardiff City.
Jamal Lowe scored for the third successive game to send Swansea on their way to victory over Norwich
Had such form continued much longer, Duff's reign may well have been over before the season's second international break.
But a draw at Queens Park Rangers offered a hint of encouragement, before the timely visit of a beleaguered Sheffield Wednesday saw Duff register his first league success.
Swansea followed that victory with another comprehensive triumph at Millwall, then delivered again - despite having to soak up plenty of second-half pressure - against a Norwich side who are among those fancied to compete for automatic promotion.
Duff says there are "signs of progress" from his team, even though their cause has not been helped by a rash of early-season injuries.
"There has been lots of change - players have changed, we have changed formation, players came in late and weren't fit. We took a few hits along the way," he added.
"We know we weren't good enough against Cardiff and we let everyone associated with the football club down, but the reaction has been great."
Performances have undoubtedly improved, with Duff's side playing a little more football and showing they can be an attacking threat despite the loss of Joel Piroe to Leeds.
But it is not yet clear where Swansea's change of style will take them, and how far away from Russell Martin's possession game they will go.
What is certain is that Duff is not about to start trying to emulate what he calls the "extreme" philosophy of his predecessor.
But some level of commitment to possession football may be significant for Duff, for Swansea's fans have enjoyed seeing their team boss the ball in recent years.
It is that type of football, after all, which led to a seven-year stint in the Premier League, plus the club's only major trophy.
"The hard work that's going on… I see it every day. Sometimes the supporters don't see it," Duff said.
"Sometimes you are turgid in a game and they don't know what we're doing. We feel it as well.
"But it's about staying consistent, keeping your message.
"The one thing that hasn't changed is the non-negotiables. You have to fight, you have to run. That gives the platform for the players to showcase their abilities."
And so to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, where Duff's team will be under a little less pressure courtesy of their recent revival.
Swansea go to Home Park in 15th in the table, four points clear of the relegation places and four adrift of the top six.
For a club - and a boss - whose ultimate goal is the top flight, there is still very much work to do.